Besenhorster sand hills and Elbe sand meadows

The Besenhorster Sandberge and Elbsandwiesen are a nature reserve in the district of Herzogtum Lauenburg in Schleswig-Holstein. The nature reserve is characterized by its dry, lime-rich sandy grasslands, its dunes and silver grass meadows, as well as its ancient oak forests. It is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000. It directly borders the Hamburg nature reserve Borghorster Elblandschaft.
The nature reserve has not been subject to the natural dynamics of a river valley since the construction of the Geesthacht lock in 1955. However, the water level in the flood depressions rises during high water, even though they are separated from the Elbe by a dike. Basically, there is a small-scale alternation of wet and dry locations. A number of species can be found here that are typically associated with more continental climate areas. Grazing and mowing are intended to prevent the nature reserve from becoming forested.

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